Barilepis
Casey, T.L., 1920
flower weevils
Species Guides
1- Barilepis grisea(flower weevil)
Barilepis is a of flower weevils in the Curculionidae, established by Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1920. The genus comprises at least four described distributed in North America. Members of this genus are small beetles associated with flowers, consistent with the ecological habits of the broader flower weevil group.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Barilepis: /bɑːɹɪˈlɛpɪs/
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Identification
Barilepis can be distinguished from other flower weevil by the combination of morphological features characteristic of the genus as defined by Casey, including details of the rostrum and body form. Specific species-level identification requires examination of genitalia and other subtle structural characters described in Casey's original work and subsequent revisions.
Distribution
North America; occur in the United States, with records from regions including the southwestern U.S. (B. apacheana), eastern U.S. (B. virginica), and broader distributions for B. grisea.
Similar Taxa
- Other flower weevil genera in CurculionidaeBarilepis shares the general habitus of small, flower-associated weevils with numerous other ; definitive separation requires detailed morphological study of rostral and genitalic characters.
More Details
Taxonomic History
The was erected by Thomas Lincoln Casey, a prolific American coleopterist, in 1920. The type is Barilepis grisea (LeConte, 1876), originally described under the genus Baris. The genus name has been subject to some confusion in literature, with occasional misspellings.
Species Diversity
Four are currently recognized: Barilepis apacheana (Arizona, New Mexico), Barilepis grisea (widespread in eastern and central U.S.), Barilepis griseus (synonym or distinct species requiring verification), and Barilepis virginica (Virginia and surrounding region). The status of B. griseus relative to B. grisea may require taxonomic clarification.